Need help finding a good hardtail bridge.

kyle1167 · June 13th, 2009, 07:13 PM

I've had a hardtail strat body for a few years now and I've decided to add to my partscaster collection.
My other strats have trems so I haven't dealt with a hardtail before. I'm looking for something that isn't so cheap that I'll have to replace the saddles but I also don't want to spend a truck load on something with all the bells and whistles. I just want one that I can put on and be happy with the tone and quality.
The body has three screw holes drilled for the bridge, don't know if this is the same cofiguration as a Fender hardtail bridge. From the research I've done so far it seems to be.
I know Guitar Fetish has one for 11 bucks and I've seen some from AllParts for around two hundred. Rather not go that low and won't go that high.
I look forward to your recomendations.
Thanks, Kyle

mellecaster · June 14th, 2009, 01:18 PM

Be aware that Fender makes 2 Hardtail bridges...Vintage and Modern, and they are not interchangeable....I would guess most aftermarket bodies would be drilled for the Vintage spacing....but you should check.

ddhr · June 15th, 2009, 06:07 PM

I am interested in opinions as well. Callaham has one for $63. No affiliation...

http://www.callahamguitars.com/partsstr.htm

Doug

tomringg · June 15th, 2009, 07:36 PM

Have you checked these out?
http://guitarheads.net/products/bridges/bridges.html

kyle1167 · June 15th, 2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddhr

I am interested in opinions as well. Callaham has one for $63. No affiliation...

http://www.callahamguitars.com/partsstr.htm

Doug

Someone on the Strat-talk forum pointed that one out to me. That is one I'll be going with.

Telenator · June 15th, 2009, 09:45 PM

Hipshots makes absolutely the finest hardtail bridges I've seen and they come in two different thicknesses as well.

Beautifully machined and reeking of quality. I like their products a lot.

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...t_detail&p=163

boris bubbanov · June 16th, 2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle1167

Someone on the Strat-talk forum pointed that one out to me. That is one I'll be going with.

That is a great one. I've got 3 of those.

Full 2 + 7/32nds width at the bridge, so make sure your neck is wide enough and that the frets are not rolled too much on the ends.

Read Bill Callaham's advisory on vintage and American Standard parts and some lack of compatibility.

kyle1167 · June 16th, 2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

That is a great one. I've got 3 of those.

Full 2 + 7/32nds width at the bridge, so make sure your neck is wide enough and that the frets are not rolled too much on the ends.

Read Bill Callaham's advisory on vintage and American Standard parts and some lack of compatibility.

Thanks Boris I'll check that out.

rangercaster · June 17th, 2009, 12:29 AM

Gotoh is fine, but if you want to go for Callaham, it's your money !!!

Ns10Fan · June 17th, 2009, 12:57 AM

+1 on the hipshots

Bill Jones · June 18th, 2009, 09:06 AM

How about a G+L Saddle Lock Bridge. Requires a little routing but, sustain up the ying yang. Linky:http://www.glguitars.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=175

ddhr · June 22nd, 2009, 10:23 AM

Angela is a source for Fender parts. Anyone have experience with this one?

http://angela.com/fenderclassicserie...eassembly.aspx

Doug

ddhr · June 28th, 2009, 10:36 AM

I purchased the bridge from Angela. It lined up perfectly on a Warmoth body drilled for a vintage hardtail. BTW, quick service from Angela. I ordered parts on Thursday and they arrived (via USPS) on Saturday.

Doug

724SP · July 2nd, 2009, 08:20 PM

I've had great luck with the Callaham bridges, and now have them on all my strats and Teles. This is a picture of their Hardtail bridge on a Partsocaster I put together. This was actually a Callaham narrow spaced bridge...

iansmitchell · July 3rd, 2009, 12:14 AM

I say go with a 3 barrel cutoff tele bridge...

June 13th, 2009, 07:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
kyle1167 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Center Point, Iowa Age: 42 Posts: 489	Need help finding a good hardtail bridge. I've had a hardtail strat body for a few years now and I've decided to add to my partscaster collection. My other strats have trems so I haven't dealt with a hardtail before. I'm looking for something that isn't so cheap that I'll have to replace the saddles but I also don't want to spend a truck load on something with all the bells and whistles. I just want one that I can put on and be happy with the tone and quality. The body has three screw holes drilled for the bridge, don't know if this is the same cofiguration as a Fender hardtail bridge. From the research I've done so far it seems to be. I know Guitar Fetish has one for 11 bucks and I've seen some from AllParts for around two hundred. Rather not go that low and won't go that high. I look forward to your recomendations. Thanks, Kyle __________________ My Guitars Guitar Projects

June 14th, 2009, 01:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
mellecaster VENDOR Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 7,543 17 Photos	Be aware that Fender makes 2 Hardtail bridges...Vintage and Modern, and they are not interchangeable....I would guess most aftermarket bodies would be drilled for the Vintage spacing....but you should check. __________________ Expert Repair....ReCrafting...and Set-ups Making your World a Better Place...One Guitar at a time

June 15th, 2009, 09:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Telenator VENDOR Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6,561 5 Photos	Hipshots makes absolutely the finest hardtail bridges I've seen and they come in two different thicknesses as well. Beautifully machined and reeking of quality. I like their products a lot. http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...t_detail&p=163 __________________ Dogs have the right idea! www.telenator.com

June 17th, 2009, 12:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
rangercaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2008 Location: portland, or Age: 52 Posts: 1,528	Gotoh is fine, but if you want to go for Callaham, it's your money !!! __________________ "Work is the curse of the drinking classes." Oscar Wilde

July 3rd, 2009, 12:14 AM	#15 (permalink)
iansmitchell Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 1,007	I say go with a 3 barrel cutoff tele bridge... __________________ ... Please do not insinuate anything sexual from that.

June 15th, 2009, 06:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
ddhr Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 200 12 Photos	I am interested in opinions as well. Callaham has one for $63. No affiliation... http://www.callahamguitars.com/partsstr.htm Doug

June 15th, 2009, 07:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
tomringg TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: minneapolis Age: 50 Posts: 95	Have you checked these out? http://guitarheads.net/products/bridges/bridges.html

June 17th, 2009, 12:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
Ns10Fan Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Goodlettsville, TN Age: 27 Posts: 160	+1 on the hipshots

June 18th, 2009, 09:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
Bill Jones TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: ChiTown Posts: 58	How about a G+L Saddle Lock Bridge. Requires a little routing but, sustain up the ying yang. Linky:http://www.glguitars.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=175

June 22nd, 2009, 10:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
ddhr Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 200 12 Photos	Angela is a source for Fender parts. Anyone have experience with this one? http://angela.com/fenderclassicserie...eassembly.aspx Doug

June 28th, 2009, 10:36 AM	#13 (permalink)
ddhr Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 200 12 Photos	I purchased the bridge from Angela. It lined up perfectly on a Warmoth body drilled for a vintage hardtail. BTW, quick service from Angela. I ordered parts on Thursday and they arrived (via USPS) on Saturday. Doug

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